Butterflies in Denmark
Denmark is a temperate nation with both Atlantic and Baltic mixed forests. While this would make the country an ideal haven for butterflies, several of them are at risk of extinction because of a drastic decline in habitats and unsuccessful conservation efforts.
Notable Danish butterflies include the Small Tortoiseshell, the Green-veined White, and the Meadow Brown.
Butterflies in Denmark
List of Different Butterfly Species of Denmark
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Comma (Polygonia c-album)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Cranberry Fritillary (Boloria aquilonaris)
- Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)
- False Heath Fritillary (Melitaea diamina)
- Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)
- Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
- Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia)
- Hedge Brown (Pyronia tithonus)
- High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe)
- Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)
- Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera)
- Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino)
- Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia)
- Map (Araschnia levana)
- Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)
- Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)
- Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
- Arran Brown (Erebia ligea)
- Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe)
- Northern Wall Brown (Lasiommata petropolitana)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pallas’ Fritillary (Argynnis laodice)
- Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io)
- Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)
- Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania)
- Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi)
- Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)
- Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna)
- Scarce Heath (Coenonympha hero)
- Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
- Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
- Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
- Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
- Tullia’s Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia)
- Violet Frillitary (Boloria dia)
- Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera)
- White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
- Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis xanthomelas)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Alcon Blue (Phengaris alcon)
- Amanda’s Blue (Polyommatus amandus)
- Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni)
- Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
- Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae)
- Cranberry Blue (Agriades optilete)
- European Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
- Geranium Argus (Eumedonia eumedon)
- Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)
- Green-underside Blue (Glaucopsyche alexis)
- Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
- Idas Blue (Plebejus idas)
- Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis)
- Large Blue (Phengaris arion)
- Large Copper (Lycaena dispar)
- Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
- Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes)
- Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe)
- Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)
- Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron)
- Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae)
- Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus)
- Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
- Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Sooty Copper (Lycaena tityrus)
- White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Berger’s Clouded Yellow (Colias alfacariensis)
- Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi)
- Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)
- Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
- Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
- Eastern Bath White (Pontia edusa)
- Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
- Moorland Clouded Yellow (Colias palaeno)
- Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
- Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias hyale)
- Réal’s Wood White (Leptidea juvernica)
- Small White (Pieris rapae)
- Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Apollo (Parnassius apollo)
- Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)
- European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
- Large Chequered Skipper (Heteropterus morpheus)
- Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)
- Northern Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola)
- Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus)
- Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)
- Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
One of the most noteworthy places to experience what Denmark has to offer regarding butterfly diversity is the Palm House in the famous Botanical Gardens, where, at any given moment, one can see up to 600 butterflies flying about.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common butterfly species found in Denmark?
The most common butterfly species in Denmark include the Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, and Meadow Brown. These are frequently observed across the country’s mixed forests and meadows. The Nymphalidae, or brush-footed butterflies, represent a significant portion of the butterfly population, with many different species present.
Why are some butterfly species in Denmark at risk of extinction?
Some butterfly species in Denmark are at risk of extinction primarily due to a drastic decline in their natural habitats. Changes in land use, such as agricultural intensification and urbanization, have reduced the availability of essential food plants and breeding areas, making it difficult for certain populations to survive.
Can you find the Monarch butterfly in Denmark?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is listed among the species found in Denmark, though it is considered a rare migrant rather than a resident. Its appearance is an infrequent event, often resulting from long-distance travel across the Atlantic, dependent on specific weather conditions and wind patterns.
What type of habitat do Danish butterflies prefer?
Danish butterflies typically prefer temperate habitats such as Atlantic and Baltic mixed forests, meadows, and heathlands. These environments provide the specific host plants required by their caterpillars and ample nectar sources for the adult butterflies. The diversity of these landscapes supports a wide range of different species.
How can you identify a Peacock butterfly in Denmark?
You can identify a Peacock butterfly (Aglais io) by the large, distinctive eyespots on its upper wings, which are reddish-brown. These striking markings resemble a peacock’s tail and are used to startle predators. The underside of its wings is a very dark, almost black color for camouflage.
Are brush-footed butterflies common in Denmark?
Yes, brush-footed butterflies, belonging to the Nymphalidae family, are very common in Denmark. This family is extensive and includes many well-known species listed in the region, such as the Red Admiral, Painted Lady, various fritillaries, and the Peacock butterfly, making them a dominant group in the country.
What is the scientific name for the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly in Denmark?
The scientific name for the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly found in Denmark is *Aglais urticae*. It is a notable and widespread member of the Nymphalidae family, also known as brush-footed butterflies. This species is frequently seen in gardens, parks, and countryside habitats throughout the nation.
